M&P Shield Review

The Shield is one of the, if not the, most talked about handguns within the shooting community this year. The trend for small carry guns in 380 seems to have been set aside for compact single stack 9mm guns. The Shield certainly isn't the smallest of the "pocket 9s" but it may well be the best. I've shot the Nano, Solo, PF9, PM9, P938, PPS, LC9, and own the CM9... if I had to pick one of them it'd be the Shield. Here are some reasons why:

Pros:
-Reliable. I just passed the 1K round mark with this gun using everything from steel cased Russian ammo to quality JHPs it's never missed a beat
-Shootable. Of the guns I mentioned above, the Shield is the easiest to shoot well. Many of these small guns tend to jump around in your hand causing the shooter to re-grip halfway through the magazine; the Shield doesn't seem to have that problem
-Lightweight. It comes in at 19oz unloaded
-Great finish. The melonite (68 HRc) finish is top notch. With over 1K through the gun it shows less signs of wear than my SIG P229 did after 200 rounds.
-It's the smallest range gun I've used to date. What I mean by that is it's not a chore to shoot for an extended session like many other carry guns. (The PPS does hold its' own in this regard).
-It comes with usable sights. I replaced my sights with Trijicon NS but the factory 3 dot sights are easy to use and better than most guns in its' class.
-Cost. I got mine for $389 OTD right when they were released and used the Nation's Finest rebate (they used to honor it for the Shield but no longer do. They now have MIL/LE pricing however) for an additional $50 off.
-Value. For the cost above you get a well built, seeming very durable firearm that carries extremely well. Due to this, demand is currently exceeding supply and they're hard to find.
-Lots of aftermarket support from Apex parts to night sights to holsters.
-Comes with two mags (some of the competitors don't); a 7 round flush fit and 8 round extended mag.
-It has by far the best out of the box trigger of any gun in the M&P lineup; the reset isn't faint like the rest of the series. My trigger breaks consistently at 6lbs.
-You don't have to pull the trigger for disassembly. That's important to some people so I mentioned it to me but I don't mind pulling the trigger (as you'll see in the video below).
-Fish scale serrations allow for a positive purchase on the slide when manipulating the weapon.

Cons:
-Right side only controls. If you're a lefty you likely won't appreciate that.\
-External safety. I'm in the camp of the people who do not like external safeties on a striker fired gun. That said, it takes an intentional sweep to put it in the 'on' position and I worry little about it accidently coming on (has never happened yet). Also, for those who like external safeties it's still a con. Reason being it's small and difficult to manipulate... likely more so under stress. I think they tried to compromise here and missed both ways.
-It's larger than some of its' competitors. I don't find it to be a pocket gun (I know some do) unless I'm wearing cargo pants/shorts.

Here's a video with some shooting from the 12m line, a size comparison with a couple carry guns, demonstration of disassembly and assembly of the gun, a quick discussion of the guns' pros and cons, and some chronograph testing with some popular defensive rounds:

Since I am more likely to find life on other planets before I find a Shield, let me ask: Which is your SECOND favorite on the list you've shot?

DAdams

October 5, 2012, 11:20 PM

Yep. Good review. Nice pics. On my list to fit into a very narrow niche where I may need this gun.

I looked today on the website is it rated for plus p? Night sights yet? Crimson trace grips?
Price is right that's for sure.

I passed on two of them when they first came out.

Second best? I would have to say a good running PM9 with NS and CT. I am liking the new Boberg but I only have a hundred rounds through it.

Think this is hard to get...try an XDs.

Hornet24

October 5, 2012, 11:52 PM

Good review....thank you. I can't wait to get mine.:D

jfrey

October 6, 2012, 12:04 AM

Unlike Pdaddy, I don't find the safety to be a problem at all. Stiff enough to engage, I don't think you will by accident. Easy enough to flip off as I do on a 1911. I agree the lever isn't large but mine works quite well and I trust it. I personally prefer a safety with one in the pipe. By design, the safety actually moves up to block the rear movement of the trigger bar and seems to be well thought out. If you don't like it then just don't use it.

The trigger on a Shield is much better than the one on a PPS. It doesn't stack from an overly heavy striker spring, like the PPS. The Shield seems to have much less recoil impulse than the other compact 9's.

plouffedaddy

October 6, 2012, 08:40 AM

Since I am more likely to find life on other planets before I find a Shield, let me ask: Which is your SECOND favorite on the list you've shot?

PPS---hands down. That said, the reason I own the CM9 is because it really is pocketable. The downside to the CM9 is it does move in my (relatively large) hands sometimes, less so now that I have grip tape on it.

I looked today on the website is it rated for plus p? Night sights yet? Crimson trace grips?
Price is right that's for sure.

Yes to all. In my video I mentioned the night sights and did a close up view from a few angles.

KTXdm9

October 6, 2012, 08:58 AM

Unlike Pdaddy, I don't find the safety to be a problem at all. Stiff enough to engage, I don't think you will by accident. Easy enough to flip off as I do on a 1911. I agree the lever isn't large but mine works quite well and I trust it. I personally prefer a safety with one in the pipe. By design, the safety actually moves up to block the rear movement of the trigger bar and seems to be well thought out. If you don't like it then just don't use it.

The trigger on a Shield is much better than the one on a PPS. It doesn't stack from an overly heavy striker spring, like the PPS. The Shield seems to have much less recoil impulse than the other compact 9's.
I agree with this. I can see how if someone were used to shooting 1911s they might find the safety a bit difficult to work with, but it's really not an issue. I found it easy to use with just a little practice.

VoodooSan

October 6, 2012, 10:26 AM

I have looked for one around here. Not be had. I usually carry a G30sf with a Beretta Nano as my BUG/pocket carry. Yea the Shield is a little bigger than my Nano but I still like the Shield and plan to get one. Was happy adding the Nano for ease of carry and size. But I still am all about variety! Hahaha! Nice review!!

VoodooSan

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jaymo

October 6, 2012, 10:47 AM

Having never been able to hit worth a damn with third gen smiths, I didn't think I'd ever like any of their semis, but I'm nuts about the M&P series. They fit my hands perfectly.
My "little" 9 is a first gen Taurus PT111. I've heard stories about them, but mine has never failed me. If it does, I'll send it back to Da Bull and see what they do for me.
I'm leaning toward an SR9C or and XD for my next "little" 9.
I'm a southpaw and the non-ambi controls on the Shield would require me to carry it right handed, like the PT111.
If the Shield didn't have a safety, it would be a no-brainer for me.

Maybe I'll just sell the PT111 and buy and ambidextrous "little" 9.

Fred_G

October 6, 2012, 11:07 AM

Good review. I have been very impressed with the M&P 9 and 9C. The only thing I don't like about them is the trigger, but I have gotten used to it. Will look into the Shield.

RedTag

October 6, 2012, 05:34 PM

What I have been told is the shield has a redesigned trigger that is better than the M&P9 & 9C. I agree that the trigger isn't very good on them! I have always felt like I was pulling the trigger on a snap cap gun when shooting them!

plouffedaddy

October 6, 2012, 10:02 PM

Good review. I have been very impressed with the M&P 9 and 9C. The only thing I don't like about them is the trigger, but I have gotten used to it. Will look into the Shield.

Thank you. I 100% agree with you about the trigger. I have a few M&Ps including a Pro and the Shield is the only one with a decent trigger. It's a little heavy, but it's predictable and has a good reset.

Fred_G

October 6, 2012, 11:11 PM

Have you tried the Apex trigger modification?

The Lone Haranguer

October 7, 2012, 08:07 AM

I had hoped to fill my "thin holster gun" niche with the Bersa BP9CC, but that didn't work out. This was before the Shield came out. Now all I have to do is find one to see "in person." There were none at the Kingsport gun show.

plouffedaddy

October 7, 2012, 09:46 AM

Have you tried the Apex trigger modification?

I have--it's much better than factory and better than the stock Pro trigger as well.

It's also lighter than the Shield by a good bit. The big advantage (to me) for the Shield's trigger is the reset. I started shooting handguns with Glocks so I've always liked/used a very positive reset. It's all personal preference though for sure.

Fred_G

October 7, 2012, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the info. A friend of mine is getting the Apex on his gun soon, hopefully I can shoot it and see if I want to drop the $ for it.

Water-Man

October 7, 2012, 10:37 AM

With the exception of a 1911, I wouldn't carry a handgun with a safety and I don't carry a 1911 any longer.

B&C_C

October 7, 2012, 11:17 AM

My wife LOVES her Shield! I saw 1 in 40 S&W @ my LGS and looked at it and was immediately impressed with how well the small pistol felt in my hands. Stupid me, I asked if they could get it in 9mm. 3 1/2 months later it came in.
Stupid ME - Honey, feel how comfortable this little gun is to shoot -
Wife - Here's the 9C you bought me for my birthday, can you order me more "clips"?

OilyPablo

October 7, 2012, 11:25 AM

Nice review.

You said you shot the P938. It looks smaller than the Shield - what are your thoughts on the P938? I would like to get your perspective.

I think the Shield major bonus is the low price. The personal negative is I swore off new S&W after that piece of junk .380 Bodyguard.

gym

November 2, 2012, 03:36 PM

the trigger is exellent, and the reset is fast, like 1/4 inch. they are transitioning this quick reset trigger from the shield into all the M&P series, I read this on a smith and wesson website

Downeast

November 2, 2012, 07:21 PM

I can't find a 9mm shield anywhere. In fact I have never seen one in person, it's like it doesn't exist.

Series 70

November 2, 2012, 08:17 PM

I'm going to put 150 or so rounds of JHP through my Shield this weekend. Hopefully it will like what I bought, since I bought a half-case.

gym

November 2, 2012, 10:55 PM

Shoot straight had them for $369 last week at the gun show in FT pierce FL. You have to find a dealer who sells cheap at the shows. I bought 6 guns from these guys, when they run specials no one beats them. They are the largest dealer in FL with 8 stores and 4 or 5 ranges, they take up 250 tables at the shows. 10 chairs just for forms. you need to look around and find out who in your area is the "man". When this guy goes to shot show, everyone stops talking to whoever they were selling and gravitates to him, this from the other vendors, they may not like him, but they respect him. He will undercut anyone to get the sale. Even on an LCP he went to 250 2 years ago, just to get my business away from another dealer.
I go to who gives me the best deal, I am never going to see these guys again, they don't care if I live or die, I buy from te cheapest seller, that's shoot straight. He's fair. Stainless taurus 357 for 259, if you go to the stores he owns the prices are much higher. You need to find the "hook" in your town, it's all about price these days.
The guy who bought my club didn't listen when I tod him this and he lost a half a million dollars, no one cares about your decore or your lighting or the fact that you have better equiptment, the bottom line is they may tell you they do, but in the end they go for the cheapest price, guns, cars, dogs, anything else, these are tough times we live in. My range doesn't even charge if you go in for, say a test on a gun you are working on, the owner said are you just going to shoot a few mags and check that trigger, I said yes maybe 15 rounds, he said "no charge" smart man, I saved 10 bucks, and will be back this week.

plouffedaddy

November 2, 2012, 10:58 PM

I can't find a 9mm shield anywhere. In fact I have never seen one in person, it's like it doesn't exist.

My local LE dealer has 42 people on backorder....

RedTag

November 3, 2012, 01:27 AM

Thats crazy that there is still such a high demand that S&W cant keep up. I had a hunch that the shield would be popular but i never thought that it was going to be this big!

How do the bigger handed people like this gun?

Quick Shot xMLx

November 3, 2012, 01:32 AM

My local LE dealer has 42 people on backorder...
A local shop that has them listed for $325+tax has over 100 people on the 9mm list. I got lucky and saw that GalleryofGuns had some in stock last night and ordered one. $432 OTD, hopefully it's everything it's cracked up to be;)

plouffedaddy

November 3, 2012, 05:38 PM

How do the bigger handed people like this gun?

Not sure if you checked the video out but I have large hands (XL or XXL in tac gloves). I think it's very comfortable.

Odd thing is my sister in law who has midget hands (seriously, like circus freak small) likes it too. To try and paint a picture of how small her hands are---she can't reach the trigger on a Gen3 G17, not even the tip of her finger:eek: It's strange...

TCBPATRIOT

November 4, 2012, 12:53 AM

One of the stores in my area has a very large backorder list. They had the ''blue gun" of it and just by seeing how it felt I can see why

RedTag

November 4, 2012, 05:01 AM

my internet where i am now is not good enough to watch videos. i will be watching the video as soon as i get a good enough connection. I have been told that the ergonomics are similar to the LC9 and to be honest (i might get some enemies on here) but i havent ever liked the LC9. How do you compare it?

yanici

November 4, 2012, 09:01 AM

I got a 9MM Shield with the MA 10# trigger. Impossible to shoot until I put in the APEX carry kit trigger job. I couldn't get the rear sight off to install the APEX USB (striker block) but the trigger is very nice anyway. Gun is very accurate and easy to carry. I highly recommend this gun for CCW.

My friend did a nice stipple job. It was very light and came out similar to Talon grip tape. The feel is awesome. Email me if you want his contact info. He lives in N.E. Massachusetts. Backstraps on the M&Ps could use his stipple job.

Pic of his work. This is his gun. He did the front of the grip on mine as well as what you see here and it is just WOW! Very fine and professional. BTW, I'm just a happy customer trying to spread the word on this guy's great work.
http://i50.tinypic.com/cq3y0.jpg